Biolchim

In recent years, the agricultural industry has increasingly focused on sustainable practices that enhance crop productivity and promote environmental stewardship. However, the agricultural sector faces the concomitant challenge of raising productivity to feed the growing global population and improving resource efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.

Biostimulants are among the innovative solutions, a class of biological substances that represent a transformative force to revolutionize modern agriculture by bolstering plant growth and quality of produce, resilience, and overall health. Leveraging the potential of these naturally-derived substances can contribute to building a more resilient and environmentally responsible agricultural landscape.

As a leading company specializing in the production and commercialization of biostimulants and specialty fertilizers, Biolchim offers products designed to stimulate natural processes, improving nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, and quality of produce, while adhering to the principles and practices of sustainable agriculture.

“We are a leader in the biostimulant industry, with a significant presence in Australia, New Zealand, and China. Our impressive portfolio of specialty fertilizers reflects our commitment to organic farming practices, sustainability, and addressing the grower's needs,” says Karan Bansal, global director of marketing & strategy at Huber AgroSolutions.

Biolchim possesses an extensive range of products in its portfolio to provide growers with solutions that enhance their productivity and extract maximum value from their crops. The product range includes combinations suitable for various conditions, offering growers a comprehensive solution to feed plants with a complete spectrum of nutrients, as opposed to single-element fertilization.

The company’s portfolio comprises several categories, with the most significant being biostimulants which originate from various sources and operate through diverse modes of action. In the Asia Pacific region, it offers products like KRISS, designed for fruit enlargement, and organic farming-approved products that include FOLICIST, FYLLOTON, and NOV@. These biostimulants cater to various plant growth stages, addressing specific concerns like flowering and fruit set, and are applied before and after a weather stress event but also post-pesticide sprays to mitigate stress caused by chemical treatments. In addition, they address challenges or poor soil conditions, ensuring nutrient availability.
The second major category encompasses enhanced nutrition, including soluble fertilizers and combinations with biostimulants. Biolchim also has innovative organic solid products based on hydrolyzed gelatin for agricultural use derived through an exclusive production process. The overall focus is on field-enhancing products that go beyond basic fertilizers like urea, offering added benefits for crops and soil improvement. The company leverages this circular economy approach in raw material sourcing, aligning with the European Green Deal and a shift towards organic farming and reduced fertilizer usage. This strategy addresses immediate challenges and complies with upcoming regulations. Biolchim targets both conventional and organic farming and emphasizes sustainability by avoiding harmful chemicals that could impact the environment and micro-balance of soil and water.

Biolchim also has established a robust innovation network known as the Worldwide Innovation Network, which encompasses various universities and research centers globally to conduct tests on diverse types of raw materials, ensuring the production of top-notch quality products for growers.

“We have the capacity to discover suitable solutions for specific problems, particularly when it comes to region-specific crops. As a result, we diligently create specialized programs designed for crops within specific regions rather than developing a general product that applies universally,” says Ariana Cohen, General manager of Biolchim.

The company's technical team collaborates with commercial teams, growers, and grower groups to understand their needs and create tailored programs for effective product usage and application techniques. It also offers expertise in timing, rates, and combinations for optimal application. The technical team provides global knowledge exchange, offering services such as soil and water testing, recommendations, and grower meetings.

To that end, Biolchim has been collaborating with organic growers in Australia since 2021. It knows one of these businesses and their agronomists for 7 years. A discussion started in 2021 regarding the most significant challenges they had been facing historically. The business was still seeking a more sustainable, easy-to-use, and organically certified option to move away from the excessive use of manure due to increasing issues in the field and concerns about the final quality of the produce.

The main issues discussed included the amounts used per hectare, ranging between 15-20 m3/ha at the time, sometimes repeating another 10m3/ha after a couple of weeks. There were risks associated with the use of manure, especially ammonia toxicity to small seedlings unless it was composted and treated in a specific way. Another major problem was storage, as a large area had to be set up to accumulate significant quantities of material, which typically emitted odors for a few days. A workerusing a loader had to periodically work the material to ensure the composting process was correct and reduce potential risks.
Knowing these challenges, the collaboration began on 1-hectare blocks across different crops. Visual assessments were performed, as shown in the attached pictures, and feedback from the packing facility regarding quality (green color, shelf life) was obtained. This was particularly crucial for organic produce destined for supermarkets and restaurants, where organic food is considered a premium product.

The results on both crops were outstanding. On kale, it was observed that the solution compared favorably to the standard practice, demonstrating faster and better growth with less waste (as evident from the reduced amount of yellow leaves in the standard practice). The impact extended beyond agronomical benefits, influencing production efficiency throughout the value chain. This resulted in more leaves being picked and packed, reduced time spent by workers on cleaning unsellable leaves, increased weights at the packing shed, and the delivery of more high-quality produce to consumers. Consequently, the impact reached the business's bottom line.

The proposal from Biolchim Australia has always been to work very close to growers from the start, during the developmental stage & after, like a living lab, where it tests products together with them so they can learn & understand the product first-hand but most importantly, they own the product.

Needless to say, Biolchim is dedicated to strengthening its position as an international leader in specialty agricultural products, prioritizing innovation and sustainability. It is expanding worldwide, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific region, and is actively seeking reliable partners who share its commitment to advancing agriculture responsibly. The company's enduring presence and dedication make it a trustworthy ally in the pursuit of sustainable and efficient farming practices.